Bridge element for catamenial devices



Dec. 19, 1950 E. STROUSE 2,534,885

BRIDGE ELEMENT FOR CATAMENIAL DEVICES Filed Sept. 7, 1949 1N VEN TOR.

BY gi /M Patented Dec. 19, 1950 BRIDGE ELEMENT FOR OATAMENIAL DEVICES Ethel Strouse, New York, N. Y.

Application September 7, 1949', Serial No. 114,309

3 Claims.

- This invention relates to supports for catamenial devices and relates more particularly to improved means for rendering the catamenial pad more comfortable during periods of use.

The usual and most accepted type of sanitary napkin includes an absorbent pad which is supported by a fabric covering or wrapping having somewhat narrow extensions in the nature of straps which extend up the front and back of the wearer and which are secured at their upper i ends to a'common type of belt. This form of pad has largely supplanted the more complex types of pad holders which never proved too satisfactory.

The strap element which extends up the back in this commonly used type of pad produces considerable discomfort, however, in that it is formed of a light, flexible gauze-like material; its width is not sufficient to preserve its original flat condition; and even if it were formed of greater width it would not be improved since it soon enters the recess between the buttocks and becomes more like a narrow rope than a flat strap and causes expected discomfort.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel bridge element for this rear strap which can be easily applied to the strap and which effectively prevents the strap from entering the recess and causing a cutting action.

The bridge element of the present invention is in the form of a generally rectangular member of soft, flexible material such as cloth which is reinforced along its marginal edges by a fiat rectangular frame formed of resilient, stay-like members, either metal or plastic, of the type normally used in corset stays. The transverse stays effectively bridge the recess and the longitudinal or vertical stays prevent longitudinal collapse so that a soft pad of suitable dimensions is preserved, the pad having suitable loops, or a single, long loop through which the strap passes.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a common type of sanitary napkin to which the present invention is applied.

Fig. 2 is a broken plan view of the device.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a broken plan view showing the internal construction in a modified form.

The bridge element 10 of the present invention includes a casing which may be formed from a blank of cloth of double the size shown in Fig. 2. It may be folded along line I I, then stitched along lines l2 and I3 after which the blank is turned inside out. During the stitching of line I3 straps 9 may be disposed between the layers and when the layers are turned the straps extend laterally from the edge.

Th reinforcing framemay comprise lateral members l4 and transverse members l5 formed from flat, flexible, stay-forming material and in the illustration of Fig. 2 the frame is made in one piece and is of such size as to fit snuglyinto the pocket formed in the casing. The remaining open edge is now closed by stitch line It. Fae tener elements I! may be secured at the outer ends of straps 9 and complemental fastening elements I8 secured to the casing If desired the fastener may be eliminated and both ends of the straps 9 permanently secured to the casing. The term casing as used in this specification and in the appended claims is not to be taken in any limiting sense but rather is intended to convey the thought that some covering for the frame member or members is desirable and if the central portion of the member It] were of single thickness only it would nevertheless be a casing within the foregoing description. Also, the generally square shape of the casing is not necessary since it could have rounded ends even though the upper and lower edges are preferably straight.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 4 the casing 20 may be formed in the same manner as earlier described except that the frame is somewhat less rigid in that it is formed of flat strips 2| extending laterally and similar strips 22 extending longitudinally. The strips need not be secured together at their corners but they are held in place by stitch lines 23 disposed along their inner edges.

The conventional napkin is shown in Fig. l and comprises a pad portion 25, and a gauze covering usually formed from a single blank and providing extensions comprising a front strap 26 and a rear strap 21. The latter is passed through the loop or loops formed by straps 3 and the bridge ele ment is ready for use. It may be adjusted to any height and it always retains its shape both laterally and longitudinally. The central portion of the member is soft and flexible and the frame member, though bendable within limits, is nevertheless sufficiently rigid to perform its intended function. If desired, the strips may be covered with rubber or soft cotton.

While two forms or embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein for illustrative purposes, and the construction and arrangement incidental to specific applications thereof have been disclosed and discussed in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere details or relative arrangement of parts, nor to its specific embodiments shown herein, but that extensive deviations from the illustrated forms or embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the principles thereof.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a catamenial device comprising a pad and a covering therefor provided with strap elements extending forwardly and rearwardly of the pad, of a bridge element arranged for mounting on the rear strap at a point spaced from its free terminal in an adjusted fixed position, such bridge element comprising a generally rectangular casing formed of flexible material, fiat stay members disposed in the casing along the transverse and longitudinal edges thereof for reinforcing the casing, and a loop secured to the rear surface of the casing through 9;

which such rear strap element may pass and be positioned at a point inwardly of the free terminal thereof.

2. The combination with a catamenial device comprising a pad and a covering therefor propoint spaced from its free terminal in an adjusted fixed position, such bridge element comprising a generally rectangular casing formed or" flexible material, a fiat reinforcing frame disposed within 'the casing and comprising portions extending along the transverse and longitudinal edges thereof, and a loop secured to the rear surface of the casing through which such rear strap element may pass and be positioned at a point inwardly of the free terminal thereof.

3. The combination with a catamenial device comprising a pad and a covering therefor provided with strap elements extending forwardly and rearwardly of the pad, of a bridge element arranged for mounting on the rear strap at a point spaced from its free terminal in an adjusted fixed position, such bridge element comprising a generally rectangular casing formed of flexible material, pockets formed in the casing along the transverse and longitudinal edges thereof, flat reinforcing elements disposed within such pockets, and a strap secured at one end thereof to the casing along one edge of such casing, and detachable fastening means for securing the other end of the strap to the other side of the casing, the rear strap element being arranged to pass between the strap and the casing whereby the casing may be positioned at a point inwardly of the free terminal of such strap element.

ETHEL S'I'ROUSE.

REFERENCES CITED Name Date Johnson Oct. 18, 1904 Number 

